Psychotic Waltz, USA

News: After 23 years, Psychotic Waltz will release their 5th album titled The God-Shaped Void. The album is to be released by InsideOut and is scheduled for February 14, 2020. Label says: "US Progressive Metal pioneers and innovators PSYCHOTIC WALTZ finally return with their highly anticipated 5th studio album and first new music in 23 years. Regrouped with all five original members, “The God-Shaped Void” was mixed/mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Symphony X) and comes with artwork by longterm visual design partner Travis Smith (Katatonia, Riverside, Nevermore). Featuring their trademarked dual guitar harmonies/leads and distinctive vocals, the album effortlessly picks up right where PSYCHOTIC WALTZ left off, blending accomplished musicianship, a mystical lyrical bent, and a sound that captures the best elements of both vintage and modern eras. “The God-Shaped Void” is available as Gatefold 2LP with bonus track and the entire album on CD as bonus and also as standard Jewelcase CD."

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Location: San Diego, California

Overview: Psychotic Waltz were one of the more exciting of the tech/prog thrash bands of the early 90s, churning out 4 highly inventive albums through 1996. They have reformed and it appears their new album will be of a similar mindset.

Free System Projekt, Netherlands ***Inactive***

Berlin School electronic

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Latest release: British Aisles Volume 2 (2019)

Gent (2007)

The Dutch collective Free System Projekt have long been considered one of the finest groups playing in the Berlin School revivalist style. Raging sequencers, mellotron overlays, and analog synthesizer soloing are the order of the day.

Moyland (2005)

Free System Projekt is yet another band we're featuring here that comes from the Tangerine Dream retro movement, that is found more predominantly in the UK, but also has a huge following in the Netherlands as well. When Tangerine Dream moved in a different direction following their "Virgin" years after 1983, no one really took the baton and ran with it. Now that doesn't mean electronic music died. Not even close. There were tons of other artists operating in this field, almost all of them solo acts, and none had the massive amount equipment that Tangerine Dream possessed (other than maybe Klaus Schulze of course). And as any fan of classic Tangerine Dream will tell you, it's a style of music that has many possibilities. The key to success is not only a large amount of both old and new keyboard toys, but it also helps to have more than one band mate - for the synergy of ideas that multiple people can create.

The big names in the Tangerine Dream renaissance are the British bands: Radio Massacre International, Redshift, AirSculpture, Under the Dome, Arc and many more. And the main representative in Holland is Free System Projekt. And truth be told, FSP are probably the most sycophantic to the original T. Dream sound (especially the Baumann trio years). But it's still highly original music within the confines of the style. It's as if someone uncovered numerous more Tangerine Dream recordings from 1974-1977. You can't wrong with a Free System Projekt album, at least of the ones I've heard, and that's most of them. Moyland is but only one great example. If you love complicated sequences, with mellotron overlays and wild synth soloing - the Free System Projekt is for you.

Protoavis (2004)

The hard part about reviewing any Free System Projekt album, at least from this era, is trying to come up with something new to say. I suppose figuratively one could make a similar claim about FSP - that is, musically they have nothing new to say. But nothing new, while still being great, are not mutually exclusive comments. On Protoavis, Free System Projekt have completely zoned in on the 1974-1975 era of Tangerine Dream, where the sequences remind one of Phaedra and the overall atmosphere and style are more toward Rubycon. This is my personal favorite years of Tangerine Dream, so of course I'm going to enjoy Free System Projekt. Not enjoyment at the same level mind you - one cannot replace the magic of initial discovery in one's youth - but the familiarity makes it comfortable. A safe place to cuddle up in.

Passenger 4 (2004) w/Dweller at the Threshold

Probably the least inventive of the FSP albums. Not only is it influenced by Rubycon, it's almost a cover version of the album. Which doesn't make it a bad effot. But given how many albums I already own in the style, including by Tangerine Dream themselves, this album comes off as "too much of the same thing.". Gotta go, Joe.

Atmospheric Conditions (2002)

Atmospheric Conditions is a two CD set compiled of various outings from 2001 and 2002, including live stints in the USA and England. The Dutch collective Free System Projekt have long been considered one of the finest groups playing in the Berlin School revivalist style. Raging sequencers, mellotron overlays, and analog synthesizer soloing are the order of the day. Though the various tracks are all improvised, the sound is remarkably consistent, and the end result seem like variations on Tangerine Dream's Rubycon. In my mind, that is T. Dream's finest moment, so any group who can emulate that same composition style are much welcome here.

Okefenokee Dreams (2000) w/Dave Brewer

There are few bands that emulated Tangerine Dream's mid 70s years as effective as Free System Projekt. At this point FSP was just Marcel Engels, and on the first Okefenokee gathering, he's joined my American electronic musician Dave Brewer.  They go about creating 73 minutes of sequencer based Berlin School music. No surprises here at all. Honestly I have too much of this kind of music, but I have a soft spot for this title, as it was one of the earliest revival CDs I had picked up (real time when it was released). For the next 6 years or so, I loaded up on dozens of titles like it. I have already begun to shed some of those titles, selling to an audience still hungry for anything and everything Tangerine Dream like. But I won't do that with Okefenokee Dreams. Not so much because it's that much better (it's not), but rather its place in my personal history.

6/3/07; 7/20/11 (new entry); 9/14/16; 9/24/17; 4/19/20

Thieves' Kitchen, England ***Inactive***

News: Thieves' Kitchen will be releasing their 7th studio album Genius Loci on September 23.

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Location: Oxfordshire

Overview: Not too many bands where one uses the terms neo and retro in the same sentence, and yet it applies here. Anywhere between IQ and Anglagard one will spot the sound of Thieves' Kitchen.

UMR notes

Purson, England ***Inactive***

News: A couple of years ago Purson broke up. But the Facebook page remains alive, and sure enough Rosalie Cunningham has gone solo. Her first self-titled album is now set to be released on July 26th on Cherry Red. As such, I'm going to keep this page alive for both acts. As for the album, here is what her website says: "Rosalie’s eponymous début album – due for release in early 2019 – is the result of an extended period of reflection and will contain her strongest and most daring songwriting to date, ranging from a three minute Blackbird-esque nod to her creative hero Sir Paul McCartney, to an epic prog rock saga that will take the listener on the mother of all sonic journeys."

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Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Overview: The Circle & The Blue Door was an homage to 1971 England, whereas Desire's Magic Theatre seemed more geared toward 1969. They're going in the wrong direction for my tastes, but still intriguing enough to leave as an A-lister.

UMR notes

Pholas Dactylus, Italy

News: And here we are again with another band that has gone missing for 45 years. We are getting word that they will have a new album entitled Hieros Gamos, and it's to be released on January June7th of 2019 (thanks Bas!). New cover attached.

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Location: Milan

Overview: Pholas Dactylus were a previous "one off" band who released a classic album back in the 1973 heyday. It's most distinguishing feature being that the vocals were narrated/spoken verse sung. I have no notes from UMR to share, though I've owned the album in question for well over 20 years. We'll get to it eventually...

Galaad, Switzerland

News: As we noted back in November, Galaad's third album has now been confirmed to be released on May 15. This will be their first new album in 23 years. Frat3r is to be the title.

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Location: Moutier (NW of the country near Basel and the French border)

Overview: One of the best bands of the 90s to emulate that French Theatrical Progressive rock sound as originated by Ange and Mona Lisa.

Woodenhead, USA

News: I thought this band were inactive and I'd already archived this page. But they're back with a new live album celebrating their 43rd (?!) anniversary.

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Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Overview: Starting as a relatively normal fusion band of the late 70s, Woodenhead continued to up the energy level as they got older. A fine, and yet still undiscovered band.

UMR notes

Dreadnaught, USA

News: Wow - I was half asleep on my last update. I was promoting the Colorado band Dreadnought (note spelling). OK, then.... Nothing new from our favorite New Hampshire band. Sorry about that guys!

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Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Overview: King Crimson meets Boud Deun and Fred. I can already anticipate your next question. Who is King Crimson?

UMR notes

All Traps on Earth, Sweden ***Inactive***

Retro prog

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Latest album: A Drop of Light (2018)

A Drop of Light (2018)

In 2017 when Wobbler released From Silence to Somewhere, it had all the earmarks of an album-of-the-year type recording. As I noted in my review there, that's exactly what it ended up being. And not likely to be surpassed either.

For 2018, All Traps on Earth had all the earmarks of an album-of-the-year type recording. This designation has been trumpeted by many, including by those whose opinions matter to me. And... that's what it ended up being. However, I could see this one being overtaken. But for now, it is in fact the best thing I've heard from 2018.

And why is that? Well... albums such as Drop of Light are so in-the-pocket prog, it makes one wonder why more bands don't do it. The critics of these types of albums - and you see this ALL the time - just throw out that tired trope of "it's been done before". Folks, I have bad news to break to you: everything has been done before. It's just a convenient phrase for saying "I don't like it". That's OK, you don't have to, but don't bother rationalizing it in that way. But for fans of the genre, All Traps on Earth, Wobbler, and Änglagård will always find themselves in the top spot, or close to it. The real reason you don't hear bands do this style much is because it isn't easy to accomplish at all. It's about the substance more than the style. And all us grizzled prog veterans will know instantly when someone is trying to pull the wool over our eyes (or ears). Paul Stanley of Kiss liked to recount that they received the same criticism in their line of work. He would always respond: "Yea, if it's so easy, why don't you do it then?" Well said.

Which gets us back to All Traps on Earth. No matter how hard one is going to try, it's pretty difficult not to think of this as the 4th Änglagård album. And of course that's because it has their direct lineage. Honestly I think if you paired up Johan Brand and Thomas Johnson and they started a new disco funk band named Studio 54, the end result would sound like Änglagård - in 4/4. It's like the Scorpion and the Frog parable. It's the essence of who they are. Joining Brand and Johnson is current Änglagård drummer Erik Hammarström and Brand's daughter Miranda on (wordless) vocals. Plus a host of guests, most notably Matthias Bååth and Magnus Irving Båge on flutes/recorders, with Fredrik Lindborg on various reeds. Also present is guitarist Phil Mercy, leader of the English group Thieves Kitchen, yet another band that Johnson turned into Änglagård.

The opening title track is the most dense and difficult. As a whole, All Traps on Earth are more "rehearsal intensive" than the more swinging Änglagård (who are by no means a jamming groove band either). Miranda's non-lyrical vocals are operatic, offering a dark atmosphere. It's somewhat like Shub Niggurarth in this way. On this point, there are Zeuhl references throughout the album, but in no way is this a Zeuhl album. Johan Brand is no Bernard Paganotti, two bassists performing completely different styles, each defining their niche in the progressive rock world. 'Magmatic Warning' further advertises their love for Zeuhl, and there's some cyclical grooving Fender Rhodes here that is the closest All Traps on Earth get to Magma. Toward the latter half of the song we are introduced to charted tuned percussion and flute - and this is prevalent throughout the third track 'Omen'. And what does that read like? Exactly - Dun's Eros. Wow! Almost no one these days emulating that sound (or even in those days...). So Dun mixed with Anglagard! I know, get a paramedic out here and quick... And finally that gets us to 'Bortglömda Gårdar', where they take off their mask and say "ahh let's give it up - we're Änglagård after all aren't we?"

Full hardbound books have already been written about this album, so if you need a bar by bar detail, it's probably out there. Suffice to say, if you're a fan of retro prog (i.e. 70s complex prog), then it's hard to imagine All Traps on Earth not registering in the red zone. Buy it.

2/28/19 (new entry)

The Spacious Mind, Sweden

News: We recently heard from a label called Essence Music, and they've informed us of a new Spacious Mind release called The No. 4 or 5 Gravy Band. I say new, but it's yet another archival release. This time, though, I believe it to be all unique material. I pressed for details on time, place, and membership of the album, but apparently the provenance is a closely guarded secret. OK then... So even though the band is inactive, they seem to be quite busy on the release front. More info here.

Overview: One of the earliest of the space rock revivalists from the early 90s, The Spacious Mind has an impressive discography spanning 20+ years.

UMR notes

Sonora Sunrise, Russia

News: Sonora Sunrise have released their debut (physical) album on CD via Trail Records. Be sure to read the post on the interesting facts about the album. I read those after my review lol. We've also just heard from the Trail label that the band has more new material for a second album in 2019!

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Location: Barnaul, Altai

Overview: Sonora Sunrise are part of the Russian space rock movement that contains exotic female voices, haunting keyboards, pounding / shifting rhythms, and fuzzed out psych guitars.

UMR notes

Gunter Schickert, Germany

News: And yet another legend returns. Based on the label description, this looks to be a real winner! "Günter Schickert's debut Samtvogel (1975) was one of the most significant guitar albums of the krautrock era. Points of comparison from today's perspective are Syd Barrett or Pink Floyd's more adventurous early recordings. Schickert's follow-up, Überfällig (1980) was released on the legendary Sky label. Once again a milestone recording, it showcased Schickert's hypnotic echo guitar which developed into one of the hallmarks of the krautrock sound. Schickert's new album Nachtfalter, translating as "moth" in English, carries on from these beginnings, making it hard to believe that he has in the meantime reached pension age. Recorded during the scorching hot summer of 2018, Nachtfalter shows the pioneer of the echo guitar sounding his very best. Here Schickert was assisted by Andreas Spechtl, who recorded the album and played the drums. Spechtl selected the best moments of Schickert's guitar tracks, and mixed them while also supplying his own loops. Even though the album was conceived as an instrumental, it inadvertently developed into a concept piece, named after the moth, which had entered the room at some point during the recording sessions. As a silent witness, it clung to the ceiling all night. In the morning, Schickert found the insect dead on the floor. He took a photo of the moth for the cover, paying tribute to the dead animal. Nachtfalter opens with the atmospheric track "Nocturnus", Schickert's conch shell horns creating an eerie mood. Next, the krautrock juggernaut "Ceiling" runs to nearly seven minutes of playing time; it's not just the music levitating here. A further highlight is the urgent "Wohin" with its insistent, furious drumming by Spechtl, whose patterns meet the howling echo guitar by Schickert. The impressive "Reflections" concludes the album by uniting all the elements of Nachtfalter's hypnotic soundscapes. The music could serve as soundtrack to a horror movie, with guitar sounds being complemented by noise resembling a train whistle, plus the squealing and humming of a tormented analog synthesizer. "I was born in Berlin and am a true city child", explains Schickert, "When I was young, I often travelled on the bus or the underground train. The awesome rhythm of the engines has indelibly imprinted itself on me. My music has been the expression of this experience." Listening to Nachtfalter, one can only conclude that on Schickert has created a perfect synthesis of the hectic, motorik rhythm of the big city and the gentle beat of the wings of a moth."

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Location: Berlin

Overview: Schickert likely needs no introduction. He was one of the pioneers of using the electric guitar as an electronic instrument, replicating sequencing using sound on sound looping techniques. Along with Gottsching and Reichel, Schickert is one of the legends.

UMR notes

Sanhedrin, Israel ***Inactive***

Samples (YT)

Samples

Overview: An excellent modern band from Israel capturing the European Warm progressive sounds of bands like Asia Minor, Minimum Vital, Solaris, and Rousseau.

UMR notes

WintherStormer, Norway

News: I have long lost touch with WintherStormer, though for no good reason as their debut is excellent. They have now (as in October of 2018) released their 5th album entitled D.E.S.H.

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Overview: Berlin School enthusiasts with a sound like Radio Massacre International due to the addition of guitar.

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